Delta Lounge

[Minde]

An ESXj shared this on FB today:

image.jpg

I know it's a joke and I'm stereotyping, but leave it to a caregiver to think of the problem in such a way.

[UDP]

This still strikes me as one of the weirdest psych forums out there.

Ho hum.

[Cuddly McFluffles]

This still strikes me as one of the weirdest psych forums out there.

Ho hum.

It's a sinkhole, I tell you!

[HandiAce]

An ESXj shared this on FB today:

image.jpg

I know it's a joke and I'm stereotyping, but leave it to a caregiver to think of the problem in such a way.

Too damn funny!

This reminds me of another one a friend shared with me

[Beautiful sky]

Let's see, for my book club, I'm reading the Memory Keeper's Daughter; it should be an interesting read on morality of choices and emotions of characters and relationships.

[Cuddly McFluffles]

So life kind of sucks at the moment. I'm on antibiotics 24/7 for a chronic infection, and I spent the last few weeks also on oral steroids; it was only supposed to be two weeks, but I somehow got badly off-schedule again, even having tried to map out my dosages. I'm pretty consistently tired, and my stomach was constantly upset while I was on both meds. Now that I'm off the steroids, my body is adjusting to having to produce cortisol again (having gotten lazy with the steroids putting it into my system), so I'm even more exhausted. I called the dermatologist a couple of weeks ago about switching my antibiotics (minocycline can cause fatigue, among other things), but they won't do anything until I can prove the exhaustion isn't related to dehydration, thyroid problems, etc. I also need to go back on melatonin and see if that helps. I need to work over the summer so I can support myself and earn money toward my first month's rent in August, but it's really going to suck if I can't get to feeling any better than this.

[Minde]

So life kind of sucks at the moment. I'm on antibiotics 24/7 for a chronic infection, and I spent the last few weeks also on oral steroids; it was only supposed to be two weeks, but I somehow got badly off-schedule again, even having tried to map out my dosages. I'm pretty consistently tired, and my stomach was constantly upset while I was on both meds. Now that I'm off the steroids, my body is adjusting to having to produce cortisol again (having gotten lazy with the steroids putting it into my system), so I'm even more exhausted. I called the dermatologist a couple of weeks ago about switching my antibiotics (minocycline can cause fatigue, among other things), but they won't do anything until I can prove the exhaustion isn't related to dehydration, thyroid problems, etc. I also need to go back on melatonin and see if that helps. I need to work over the summer so I can support myself and earn money toward my first month's rent in August, but it's really going to suck if I can't get to feeling any better than this.

I'm sorry, that's no fun at all. Sounds like all those meds are wreaking havoc with your body...

[Minde]

My sister and I are going to Europe in autumn.

We are in the process of planning our itinerary. So many options, so little time! It's stressful (we need to establish basic plans quickly so we can get the plane tickets before they rise too much in price) and terribly exciting. We try hard not to swoon at some of our likely destinations, but it slips out occasionally. And by swoon I mean we grab each other's hands and squeeze and smile and say something along the lines of "Oh my goodness this is going to be amazing! Castles! Cathedrals! Art museums!" and then go back to trying to figure out costs and optimal options. I've got a whole pile of Rick Steves books from the library and about 50 tabs open in my browser for flight and lodging estimate, destination ideas, and maps.

We went to NYC last year which was a good warmup for us we think. We've learned some things that work and others that could be done better for traveling.



By the way, if anybody lives in or has been to Europe -- particularly the Czech Republic, Italy, France, and/or Austria -- I'd love to hear your insights or advice.

[Absurd]

Don't go to France...

[Beautiful sky]

This still strikes me as one of the weirdest psych forums out there.

Ho hum.

I was just recalling something interesting you had done in the past...

UDP method "organize your signature"

My dual cousin's method "what do you think about putting the letters on top and then putting the E type on the bottom and then maybe leaving room for a quote?"

[Minde]

Don't go to France...

Why not? They have the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Chartres...

[GuavaDrunk]

Off-hand you may benefit from looking up how the local transports work beforehand eg: do you pay on the bus or buy tickets beforehand, if on bus do they give change etc.

[Pa3s]

Minde, if you go to Paris, bear in mind that you'd probably need weeks to visit everything interesting there. So it's probably better to make a list of things you definitely want to see and just go there and not to many other places. It's better to take enough time for the things you really want to see rather than go everywhere in a hurry, in my opinion.

[Minde]

Off-hand you may benefit from looking up how the local transports work beforehand eg: do you pay on the bus or buy tickets beforehand, if on bus do they give change etc.

Very practical, thanks! I think it's in Rome where we'll be getting a "Roma pass" that will not only let us on public transit but into the museums. I think I like the idea of getting a several-days-long pass or something else where I don't have to stop and count change and look up words I don't understand...

Minde, if you go to Paris, bear in mind that you'd probably need weeks to visit everything interesting there. So it's probably better to make a list of things you definitely want to see and just go there and not to many other places. It's better to take enough time for the things you really want to see rather than go everywhere in a hurry, in my opinion.

So true! We've been trying to remind ourselves of this. The art history aspects alone would take days upon days to thoroughly explore. Have you been to Paris?

[Pa3s]

Have you been to Paris?

Yes, it was a class trip. We've seen many interesting things, but only got two hours for the Louvre which was ridiculous. Montmatre might be a tourits trap, but it's still interesting to see and you should go there if you want a portrait of you drawn from one of the artists. You'll probably also want visit the Eiffel Tower. Buy the ticket for the highest platform, you won't regret it. It's a fantastic view, day and night.

I've actually been to all of the places you mentioned. Are you also planning to visit Germany?

[Absurd]

Hmm, you don't have to pay to see a few things in Paris, though.

[Minde]

Yes, it was a class trip. We've seen many interesting things, but only got two hours for the Louvre which was ridiculous.

The Louvre is going in its own separate day, with the possibility of part of a second. I'm sure even that will be too short.

Montmatre might be a tourits trap, but it's still interesting to see and you should go there if you want a portrait of you drawn from one of the artists. You'll probably also want visit the Eiffel Tower. Buy the ticket for the highest platform, you won't regret it. It's a fantastic view, day and night.

From what I can tell you can buy reservation tickets so you don't have to stand in line. We'll be doing that.

Are you also planning to visit Germany?

We'll be staying for a few days with friends in Salzburg. They appear to have plans to take us on day trips; Munich is among them, though we have yet to see how everything will work out. You live in Germany, right?

Hmm, you don't have to pay to see a few things in Paris, though.

I assume there are things you don't have to pay for, but we're expecting it to be expensive.

[Absurd]

I assume there are things you don't have to pay for, but we're expecting it to be expensive.

Those that Pa3s mentioned worth seeing, yea, those can end up expensive, although the best view of Paris isn't necessarily the one you pay lots of cash for staying in queue.

[Pa3s]

The Louvre is going in its own separate day, with the possibility of part of a second. I'm sure even that will be too short.

Good idea. You migth not see everything, but I guess you'll have seen "enough" after a whole day.

From what I can tell you can buy reservation tickets so you don't have to stand in line. We'll be doing that.

I'm not entirely sure, but if I recall correctly, we bought them right at the tower and had to decide which platform we wanted to go to. That was no problem, but the tower itself was very crowded.

We'll be staying for a few days with friends in Salzburg. They appear to have plans to take us on day trips; Munich is among them, though we have yet to see how everything will work out. You live in Germany, right?

That's cool. The best thing about Austria are the mountains, imho. I hope you'll see some of them. Yes, I live in Germany.

[Minde]

Those that Pa3s mentioned worth seeing, yea, those can end up expensive, although the best view of Paris isn't necessarily the one you pay lots of cash for staying in queue.

I plan to avoid queues as much as possible! As for the expense, this is why I am working long hours and living like a pauper right now. As it is, I will definitely not be staying in high tier places or eating in super rich restaurants. Picnics are the way to go.

And, why, do you have some suggestions? Have you been to Paris?

[Minde]

You migth not see everything, but I guess you'll have seen "enough" after a whole day.

Yeah, that is always a "drawback" of travel - not seeing or experiencing everything that you might want to. But I'm sure I'll enjoy what I do get to do.

the tower itself was very crowded.

I've never been to Europe, but looking at the maps it seems rather crowded just in general.

Yes, I live in Germany.

I'll wave toward you while I'm there. Or in your possible general direction. "Hello, Germany and Pa3s. So nice to see you!"

[Pa3s]

I've never been to Europe, but looking at the maps it seems rather crowded just in general.

It's highly urbanized, and you won't find as many planned cities as in the US, but even here you can find some quiet and remote places. However, the metropolises are beehives, that's for sure. (Which, I guess, is not too different from large cities in America, though.)

I'll wave toward you while I'm there. Or in your possible general direction. "Hello, Germany and Pa3s. So nice to see you!"

Alright, I'll be waving back to you. Hope you enjoy your trip!

[Absurd]

And, why, do you have some suggestions? Have you been to Paris?

Nope, of course not, never been there, although there is a place providing it wasn't bombed yet that offers a similar view of Paris if not better than the Eiffel Tower and for less cash I think...

... a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica - Sacré-Cœur.

[Minde]

Hope you enjoy your trip!

So far it's looking like it'll be great.

Not many planned cities makes me think navigation could be a bit of an adventure, haha.

a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica - Sacré-Cœur.

I have that on my list! I didn't know it offered a good view, though. Or maybe that was mentioned but I forgot. Anyway, it's one of the places I want to go.



This is reassuring that many of the suggestions and advice thus far are things I've already made note of. Still, it never hurts to have more, and I welcome all tips.

[Absurd]

I have that on my list! I didn't know it offered a good view, though. Or maybe that was mentioned but I forgot. Anyway, it's one of the places I want to go.

Yup, it was build on a hilltop, which is the highest point in Paris and going to offer a good view, and can be considered as an alternative(?) to Eiffel Tower, so you picked an okay place to visit.

You wrote Czech Republic is on the radar? Better see it, before America nukes the Czech for terrorism

[Park]

Go to Spain if you can. Austria is cold and boring.

[GuavaDrunk]

I've never been to Europe, but looking at the maps it seems rather crowded just in general.

Haha, when I look at images of the US everything seems very spacious and unnecessarily big. EU cities tend to have grown more than come into existence (to second the point about planned cities.) But there are street names, so it's easy enough to navigate with a map in my limited experience.

[Absurd]

Yeah, one can't get lost with a map in city bounds. With GPS one can get lost when traveling from city to city - the 'scenery' undergoes changes and you might end up in a river relying on GPS alone.

[Minde]

You wrote Czech Republic is on the radar? Better see it, before America nukes the Czech for terrorism

Yeah...

Go to Spain if you can. Austria is cold and boring.

Spain was on our wishlist for awhile, but we can only fit so much into three weeks and a limited budget. You have been to Spain? If so, what was your favorite place and aspect(s)?

Haha, when I look at images of the US everything seems very spacious and unnecessarily big. EU cities tend to have grown more than come into existence (to second the point about planned cities.) But there are street names, so it's easy enough to navigate with a map in my limited experience.

Street names would help, yes. As opposed to places with no street names. Thank God for whoever first came up with the convention. "You walk for about an hour that way, then when you see the tall green tree with a crow's nest on top you know you're almost there. Turn right at the short building with the fish-shaped bike rack in front of its main window. Go along that street until you see the broken stop sign and turn left. Your destination will be on the right."

I mean, I do navigate somewhat like that, but in my own familiar neighborhoods. In strange environments it's sensory overload and my brain hasn't yet had time to figure out what's important and what isn't (relatively speaking, of course - oncoming car > pot of flowers). Anyway, I digress...

Yeah, one can't get lost with a map in city bounds. With GPS one can get lost when traveling from city to city - the 'scenery' undergoes changes and you might end up in a river relying on GPS alone.

Lol, I bet my sister and I could get lost with a map in city bounds. We got turned around in NYC, and that's a nice and orderly city layout. Of course, if the sun is out that helps.

[Absurd]

Just being nitpicky... but making sure you both know. The alleged Boston marathon bombers were from *Chechnya*, not the Czech Republic. This was a huge misunderstanding among the American public. The Czech ambassador to the US even made a public statement saying "we're not Chechen" regarding the confusion.

... all of that is from American media, if you can trust it.

Aren't you a genius. I know they were. Not my problem dumber Americans than you mix up Chechnya with Czech Republic. Seriously, I dreamed a plane piloted by jessica diving into Prague.

No, I didn't.

[GuavaDrunk]

Street names would help, yes. As opposed to places with no street names. Thank God for whoever first came up with the convention. "You walk for about an hour that way, then when you see the tall green tree with a crow's nest on top you know you're almost there. Turn right at the short building with the fish-shaped bike rack in front of its main window. Go along that street until you see the broken stop sign and turn left. Your destination will be on the right."

I mean, I do navigate somewhat like that, but in my own familiar neighborhoods. In strange environments it's sensory overload and my brain hasn't yet had time to figure out what's important and what isn't (relatively speaking, of course - oncoming car > pot of flowers). Anyway, I digress...

I'd consider a planned city where everything is straight, close together and looks the same (say, NYC) harder to navigate than something more erratic. Less natural landmarks. To my knowledge the places you're going are all sensible about street names, the street numbers might get a hint funky though, depending on whether they're sequential up one side and down the other, or alternate across the street, or odds on one side even on the other etc.

There exist some pretty fun naming conventions.

[Minde]

Just being nitpicky... but making sure you both know. The alleged Boston marathon bombers were from *Chechnya*, not the Czech Republic. This was a huge misunderstanding among the American public. The Czech ambassador to the US even made a public statement saying "we're not Chechen" regarding the confusion.

... all of that is from American media, if you can trust it.

The sad face was because it's even an issue...

[silke]

I've never been to Europe, but looking at the maps it seems rather crowded just in general.

Haha, when I look at images of the US everything seems very spacious and unnecessarily big. EU cities tend to have grown more than come into existence (to second the point about planned cities.) But there are street names, so it's easy enough to navigate with a map in my limited experience.

That's one thing I miss about living in Europe - living in cities where everything is within reach via walking and public transportation. In US everything seems unnecessarily spread out. It's tighter on the east coast but on the west coast it's almost impossible to live without transport of your own.

[Beautiful sky]

One of the few LSE female friend of mine is married to an SLI; he let the gate to their home open and her old and fragile dog escaped and was attacked by a dog; a neighbor took her dog to the hospital and it was put to sleep ; she was venting to me about her frustrations with her boyfriend, his lack of concern for things that were "hers" (her stuff, her dog, her emotions, her anything) and his concern for work work work and money money money. He just bosses her around and tells her she can do it all as in all the work and not just specialized things that she is better at and he doesn't help her find time to relax.

I've never in my life seen an LSE so badly groomed as she was when I saw her; I was like "what is going on here?" She passed it off as "having her hands in work all the time." I know (or feel) what the true story is "yeah, he's scheduled me in to work every day to eternity."

I told her a year ago to divorce him and marry me.

[Cuddly McFluffles]

Waiting to hear back on an interview. Food service isn't my favorite, but this particular place seems nice, the pay is decent, and it's very close to my apartment. Also, it has a standard uniform, so I wouldn't have to worry about overhauling my wardrobe any time soon. I'm a bit stressed out; I don't have a ton of money left, especially once the necessary bills come out, and I haven't exactly spread my applications far and wide, so if this doesn't pan out, I have to start over, and it's even longer until I have a steady stream of money going into my bank account. I'm thinking I'll probably file for unemployment if they decide for whatever reason to not hire me, so I'll at least have something coming in while I look for employment. Also, I fail at budgeting, and I need to figure out some creative meals. I was thinking of a magazine for the latter, but that's not very realistic until I have a job.

[Beautiful sky]

This has been an interesting week of one friend seeking emotionally venting after another:


SEI - Maritsa, I'm so frustrated with my brat teenage daughter; she's going into psychotherapy next week.
Me- Aw, honey, I 'm sorry; she's a teenager and I'm sure when she's explained things she'll learn to deal with them better.
SEI- Maritsa, every time I look at my nose I want to cry; it makes me feel so unhappy; I cried all the way home yesterday.
Me - If having the surgery makes you feel better, you should.
SEI- Us working out is the only thing that's making me happy right now, you don't understand how much I need this.
Me - Sure.

SEE - I'm so frustrated with my husband. We don't make love any more. I tried to read the books you were suggesting and some I got on my own, but it just seems like with the baby and everything else, were not connecting.
Me - *Just listens.*

ESE - Sometimes I wonder if this marriage is even worth it; society expects you to stay together because you have kids, but I feel like we haven't been able to work our problems out.
Me - *Just listens.*

SEE - I feel excluded because of the choices I'm making for me that I like.
Me - Ignore people and tell them to jump off the bridge if they don't like it.

ILI - My previous husband was not a good husband. I want a fun, funny, husband.
Me - I'll find you one

LSE - I don't know what to do anymore; I don't think I'm going to be married much longer; I make a better father than I do a husband; I can't please her no matter how hard I try; it's always how bad I am; I never do anything right; she tells me to stop complaining that my problems aren't as hard as hers.
Me- You are a good father, I think there are real incompatibilities in your relationship but I think there are things you can do to not step in each other's toes and just learn to coexist because it's obvious to me that forgoing a long relationship like this isn't going to be easy on you morally and emotionally.

SLI - My son's been acting out all week, again. (He's been kicked out of many local schools for violent behavior).
Me - He'll grow out of it just try to keep him out of real danger (drugs, alcohol, various serious injuries).

ANYONE ELSE HAVE PROBLEMS?


On the happy note, my LSE friend:

"Maritsa be careful out there, it's hot."

"Maritsa be careful there's shattered glass on the road."

"Maritsa be careful of the dog in the neighbor's yard."

"Maritsa be careful of power cord across the street."

"Maritsa be careful of driving on the 101 today."

[InvisibleJim]

"Maritsa be careful in here, post in a blog instead."

[Absurd]

ANYONE ELSE HAVE PROBLEMS?

I do. Hope it is free of charge.

[Cuddly McFluffles]

You're in the US, right? You should file anyway, and file right away. If you were let go with just reason from your previous job, you could be collecting for each week you're not working. You can't collect if you resigned.

Also, it's crucial you file in a timely manner. Otherwise unemployment may not be available if you wait too long. I believe the deadline is only a week, depending on the circumstances. The rules might be different for each state.

Yeah, I'm in the US. I wasn't let go, nor did I resign. It was an on-campus job at my university, and we're not open over the summer. I didn't put in an application to work there for the fall semester.

[SyrupDeGem]

This has been an interesting week of one friend seeking emotionally venting after another:


SEI

SEE -

ESE -

SEE -

ILI -

LSE -

SLI -

I was just thinking that's a lot of friends to have full stop. You must be exhausted.